President Joe Biden has tested negative for COVID-19 and made his first public appearance since announcing his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. After a week of isolation at his residence in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Biden’s doctor, Kevin O’Connor, confirmed that the President’s symptoms have resolved and his vital signs remain normal.Biden is scheduled to address the nation on Wednesday, July 24, at 8:00 PM ET from the Oval Office. In this address, he is expected to explain his decision to withdraw from the presidential race and outline his plans for the remainder of his term. Biden announced his withdrawal on July 21, citing that it would be better for the Democratic party and the country if he focused on fulfilling his duties as head of state.The President has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor for the Democratic nomination. Harris has already secured support from several prominent Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Additionally, celebrities such as George Clooney and Beyoncé have expressed their support for Harris’ campaign.The Biden-Harris campaign has officially submitted papers to the Federal Election Commission to reconstitute its main committee as ‘Harris for President’. However, the Democratic Party will still need to formally choose a new nominee. According to party rules, Biden cannot simply pass his delegates to Harris, and she will need to convince nearly 4,000 delegates to support her.As Biden returns to his regular duties, Vice President Harris is preparing to hit the campaign trail. She is scheduled to travel to Milwaukee for her first rally since announcing her presidential campaign. The coming weeks are likely to see increased political activity as the Democratic Party adjusts to this unexpected change in its presidential nomination process.
Key points
- President Biden has tested negative for COVID-19 and returned to public duties.
- Biden will address the nation on Wednesday to explain his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race.
- Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to become the Democratic Party’s nominee, with support from key party figures.
- The Democratic Party faces the task of formally nominating a new candidate, as Biden cannot simply transfer his delegates to Harris.
Contradictions👾While most sources agree on the timing of Biden’s address (Wednesday evening), there are slight discrepancies in the exact time reported.
Some sources state 8:00 PM ET, while others mention 9:00 PM Brasilia time.
